News From : DagangHalal.com (22 Oct 2008)
With the aim of Muslims countries to promote the Halal products globally and despite the facts that many Muslim countries are facing shortages in the supply of oils and fats. There is a net availability of commodities particularly palm oil in the Muslim world. Palm oil and its various fractions can meet the oils and fats demand and Halal requirements of Muslim countries and it would also alternate the food security issue. Palm oil is at a huge advantage as it is currently providing the best option for a natural and healthy substitute for trans fats products worldwide. This could be seen by a surge in consumption of the commodity by the food and non-foods industry in Muslim countries as well as non-Muslims countries. For example, the blend of palm, soybean and canola oils is being heavily marketed commercially in the U.S. as well as in Malaysia under the “Smart Balance” brand. As for the Middle East and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) countries, there are opportunities for trans fats free solid fats, especially for vanaspati and vegetable ghee. Palm oil also offers various cost effective options and fractions for the Halal food industry apart from the additional attraction of ascertaining Halal certification. Animal fats such as tallow, lard and chicken fats and other Non-Halal animal fats are often used in the preparation and manufacturing of industrial food and non food products. Most of these products are extensively imported by the Muslim countries, but the Halal status of the products is unknown and not easily ascertained. Muslim consumers will have greater confidence in products when palm oil is used and labeled as the main ingredient. This is because palm oil offers the assurance of meeting the Halal requirement imposed by any local authorities especially in Muslim countries when used in both food and non-food products. Oils and fats are macronutrients and essential ingredients in most foods products (such as frying oils, snacks, packaged meals, pastry, fast foods and so on) and non foods products including cosmetics, detergents, candles, pharmaceuticals. Therefore, for Muslim consumers, the challenges and concerns are to ascertain that fats used in their entire daily used and consumed products are from a religiously regulated and accredited source that is Halal. Historically, for solid and yellow fats, animal fats are used, but during the past three decades, these have been reduced significantly and replaced by palm oil. Reference: Halal World Expo Release Date: Tuesday, October 07, 2008http://www.halalworldexpo.com/PressReleases/pressrelease_details.aspx?ID=261